New challengers to disrupt mobile phone market in 2015

The mobile phone market is set to come up against new challengers in 2015, according to analyst Gartner.

Annette Zimmermann, research director at Gartner, believes that budget smartphones from the likes of Wiko and Chinese Whitebox vendors will continue to profit.

Zimmermann also suggests that Apple must come up with something innovative for 2015, if the company is to replicate record sales.

She said: “Undeniably, competitive features and decent quality attract buyers on a tighter budget, who are not after a global brand. In this scenario, consumers only want an Android device that runs all the apps they want at a cheaper price.”

Hardware and software enhancements such as high-resolution front cameras, larger screens and video editing tools help to keep customers coming back, according to Zimmerman.

The expected currency shifts in 2015 will also impact mobile phone vendors.

“We expect an even more intense competitive mobile phone market in 2015 as vendors deal with the new uncertainty of currency shifts in the Euro-zone that could lead to price increases,” Zimmermann added.

In other smartphone news, LG has revealed four new budget smartphones, ranging from 4-inches, 4.5-inches, 4.7-inches to 5-inches.

T-Mobile has also revealed that it will be stocking the new Samsung Galaxy S6.

In a tweet from the company’s CEO John Legere confirmed that the Galaxy S6 will be available from the mobile operator.